The Wolfpack only led for 46 seconds of play surrounding halftime. Clemson started the game with a 7-0 run and held NC State scoreless for seven minutes of play late in the second to take a dominate lead. NC State fell 73-56 on the road to the Tigers.

2:26 second half; Clemson 68, NC State 51: NC State scored their first basket in seven minutes with 2:26 to go in the game.

3:15 second half; Clemson 66, NC State 49: The Wolfpack is falling apart as Clemson takes a 17 point lead over NC State. NC State is shooting just 31.8% in the second half to Clemson's 47.6. The Tigers have hit three-three pointers, to NC State's one. Turnovers and fouls continue to hurt the Wolfpack team.

11:02 second half; Clemson 54, NC State 42: Clemson matches their largest lead of the game, 12 points ahead of NC State, after a three-pointer from DaMarcus Harrison.

15:42 second half; Clemson 43, NC State 35: The Tigers opened up the half with an 11-2 run putting them ahead of the Wolfpack by eight.

Halftime; NC State 33, Clemson 32: A dunk by BeeJay Anya cut the lead back to five points with two minutes remaining in the first half. Ralston Turner brought it within three after hitting two free throws from a foul on Jaron Blossomgame. The Pack cut the Tigers lead to one before a T.J. Warren layup gave the Wolfpack their first lead of the game with five seconds left in the half.

3:58 first half; Clemson 28, NC State 21: A 7-0 NC State run closed the gap to five points but Landry Nnoko stopped the Wolfpack run with a layup to take it back to seven points.

7:43 first half; Clemson 23, NC State 14: The Tigers have their largest lead of the game at nine points. NC State has seven turnovers in which Clemson has been able to score six points.

9:35 first half; Clemson 19, NC State 12: The Wolfpack continue to trail the Tigers as Ralston Turner leads all scorers with six points from two three-pointers.

15:14 first half; Clemson 7, NC State 3: Clemson started on a 7-0 run against NC State before Turner hit a three-pointer to break the Pack's scoreless streak.

Pregame: The NC State Wolfpack dropped a heartbreaker to No. 1 Syracuse on Saturday night, and they'll look to avenge that loss as they travel to face the Clemson Tigers in an Atlantic Coast Conference battle at Littlejohn Coliseum.

NC State had won its two previous game prior to Saturday's downfall at the hands of Syracuse, a 56-55 defeat in New York. Still, the Wolfpack have won five of their last seven outings, and own a 6-6 record in the ACC.

Clemson has lost three straight games, including a 63-58 setback at the hands of Virginia Saturday night. Like NC State, the Tigers are currently sitting on a 6-6 record in the conference, which was significantly dropped after the three straight defeats.

NC State has an immense lead on the all-time series between the two programs, 99-48. The Wolfpack have won the last two games in the series, and this time will search for their 100th win over the Tigers.

NC State had a perfect opportunity to knock off the nation's top-ranked team Saturday, but T.J. Warren was fouled while sinking a shot that was eventually called on the ground. Instead of shooting an additional free throw with the counted basket, the Wolfpack rather had to inbound the ball. Syracuse was able to record a steal and hit a layup with 6.3 seconds remaining, lifting the No. 1 Orange to yet another victory. Warren scored a game-high 23 points in the defeat.

The Wolfpack's leader this season, Warren tops the team in scoring and is right up there with the nation's elite at 23.1 ppg on 52 percent shooting from the floor. He also leads NC State this year in rebounding with a 7.3 rpg mark, and has a team-high 39 steals. Ralston Turner is second with a 10.4 ppg average, and Anthony Barber is third at 10 ppg with a team-high 94 total assists.

Clemson took a lead against Virginia deep into the second half, but the Cavaliers came storming back and were able to connect on six of their last seven shots from the field to take the win over the Tigers. K.J. McDaniels was the only Tigers player to net a double-digit point total against Virginia's stout defense, pouring in 24 points, including 11-of-13 from the free-throw line before fouling out. Clemson shot 42.9 percent from the floor in the loss.

McDaniels has been an absolute monster for the Tigers on the season, leading the team in scoring at 17.3 ppg as the only Clemson player to average a scoring total in double figures. He tops the squad in rebounding (7.3 rpg), has 66 blocked shots (the most on the team), and leads with 28 steals on the year. Rod Hall (8.8 ppg) is the team leader in assists with 91 total.

This matchup will make for an intriguing one, considering two of the best pure forwards are squaring off head-to-head in Warren and McDaniels. Even though they're at home, the Tigers have had a hard time putting up solid offensive numbers and getting a contribution from anyone but McDaniels.

doserFeb 18, 2014

If State doesn't win it will be the ref's fault, The ACC's commissioner's fault or as a result of some conspiracy against them. Not the result of bad play or poor coaching.

vt94hokiesFeb 18, 2014

Should be another close one. Clemson plays tough at home quite often.

JPackFeb 18, 2014

Other than a few lunatic fringes, I think most of us don't blame the refs or the commish. We admit that game was given away with terrible play and dumb decisions in the last minute. No matter the record, Clemson is a tough place to play. We'll be lucky to come out with a W on this one.

UpChuckFeb 18, 2014

If Carolina loses Thursday if will be Larry Fedora's fault.

jmcdow2792Feb 18, 2014

View quoted thread

Other than a few lunatic fringes, I think most of us don't blame the refs or the commish. We admit that game was given away with terrible play and dumb decisions in the last minute. No matter the record, Clemson is a tough place to play. We'll be lucky to come out with a W on this one.

— Posted by JPack

Pehaps you need to send this note to ESPN. I would hate for them to continue to believe it was an "and one."State really needs this one to keep NCAA hopes alive.

Jeanne GunnFeb 18, 2014

View quoted thread

Other than a few lunatic fringes, I think most of us don't blame the refs or the commish. We admit that game was given away with terrible play and dumb decisions in the last minute. No matter the record, Clemson is a tough place to play. We'll be lucky to come out with a W on this one.

— Posted by JPack

Clemson is a tough place to play at Littlejohn, but not nearly as tough as the Carrier Dome. I think State wins this game.

Jeanne GunnFeb 18, 2014

Clemson is making it tough for State in this game.

jam3baseballFeb 18, 2014

Pretty pathetic second half against a weak offensive team. Time for Anya to start and Vandy to watch for 38 minutes a night. Again no scoring from Lewis or Barber. Hall abused both of them. Hope Gott is looking for a point guard that can shoot and pass. These two can't get it done. Still better than watching last years team!! That's what is getting me through this season. Lacy better help next year. Maybe he can play point!!

JPackFeb 18, 2014

Oh come on guys!!!! We still want an invite to the NIT. This isn't helping the cause! We have got to play better than this. Credit to Clemson for bringin it tonight. Wait. I think a poster from earlier said State fans blame everyone but the team. Ok. Here we go... The refs blew the game. They must've been paid off. I'm sure the ACC commissioner had something to do with this. There. Was that right?

Jeanne GunnFeb 18, 2014

View quoted thread

Oh come on guys!!!! We still want an invite to the NIT. This isn't helping the cause! We have got to play better than this. Credit to Clemson for bringin it tonight. Wait. I think a poster from earlier said State fans blame everyone but the team. Ok. Here we go... The refs blew the game. They must've been paid off. I'm sure the ACC commissioner had something to do with this. There. Was that right?

— Posted by JPack

Don't listen to the naysayers, JD. I'm surprised that Clemson won; I thought when State took the one-point lead to end the half, they had turned the corner. There's still games to be played - keep the faith.